‘One Play Mentality’ Aids Max Brown in Place of Injured Florida QB Graham Mertz

Gators backup quarterback Max Brown has operated with a one-play mentality throughout the 2023 season, knowing a single snap could be the difference between riding the pine and operating the Gators offense.

On Saturday, the one play came. A late-third-quarter injury to Graham Mertz against Missouri thrust Brown into the fire in a hostile environment.

Despite participating in his first meaningful snaps of his collegiate career, Brown was ready for the challenge.

"You're one play away,” Brown said postgame on Saturday. “You're always one play away. You've got to stay ready. You've got to be ready. So, just being able to actually feel it and take a deep breath and say, 'Let's go out here and ball,' that was the mentality."

Taking on that approach while working behind Mertz throughout the campaign, Brown spoke highly of the Gators starting quarterback and the aid he’s provided since arriving in Gainesville during the offseason.

However, Mertz’s tutelage wasn’t the only influence for Brown to stay the course in preparing for his eventual opportunity.

"I think I have to give a lot of credit to my family to be able to give me the confidence to have that one-play mentality,” he shared. “My dad is always texting me before the game, you're one play away. It's one thing to know it but it's another to actually be ready for it."

He was ready.

Instead of crumbling under the weight of a deficit on the road against a top ten opponent, as to be expected when an inexperienced backup enters the fold, the dual-threat passer led the Gators to ten unanswered points in Columbia, Missouri.

He made plays through the air and on the ground, accounting for 98 combined yards to catalyze Florida’s fourth-quarter surge.

A five-yard slant to starting wideout Kahleil Jackson to convert on fourth and four instilled notable confidence in the Tulsa, Okla., product.

"Being able to have faith in your receivers, I think that's big, especially on fourth down,” Brown said postgame when asked about the play. “When you look out there and you're like, 'Who am I going to throw it to,' I got faith in all four of these guys and that's a big breath of fresh air. Like I can throw it to all four of these guys right here. I think being able to pick from any of the four calmed me down and allowed me to deliver."

He followed it up with a 27-yard shot down the UF sideline to Jackson — who rose up to make the impressive grab — on the ensuing play. It placed Florida back in striking distance, regaining the momentum the unit previously lost when the pigskin hit the turf on the previous possession.

"That was a big momentum shift for our drive,” Brown noted. “I think being able to have confidence in Kahleil, just putting it in his vicinity and allowing him to make plays. That's a big-time confidence booster for our offense, being able to keep the drive going."

The sequence set up Florida running back Trevor Etienne’s second touchdown of the day, pulling UF back within two with 7:49 remaining in the contest.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Brown, though. On his first possession, in which he took over at the Florida 43-yard-line, Brown aimed to steady Florida’s shaking hands amid the loss of its quarterback.

However, his first series in charge failed to turn in points. Rather, it resulted in a turnover, as a fumbled handoff exchange with running back Montrell Johnson Jr. allowed a firing Missouri offense to regain control.

Two plays later, quarterback Brady Cook found Theo Wease Jr. — who made defenders miss in the open field before turning on the burners to fly past the Gators defense — for a 71-yard score. The Tigers expanded their lead to nine, 30-21.

Ultimately, Florida fell 33-31 as Tigers’ kicker Harrison Mevis knocked through a 30-yard field goal.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, Brown’s performance was encouraging for a Gators squad that will with near-certainty rely on him in the final week of the regular season.

“Give Max some credit. Max settled in there a little bit and made a few plays,” Napier said. “Obviously, he’s a good athlete and we were able to use his legs a little bit in the read game. He made some throws, as well. Max has worked hard. I can’t talk enough about how much improvement since the first day he got there. And he’s a competitor. I think ultimately he showed that.”

He finished four-for-five passing for 56 yards and added 42 yards on the ground.

Brown will re-enter the furnace in Week 13 against No. 4 Florida State to lead the Gators in their quest for bowl eligibility.

However, Napier believes the high-pressure experience and success in Columbia, Missouri, will better equip him for the in-state rivalry bout after a week of extensive preparation for the College Football Playoff contender.

“Well, he just played against the No. 9 team in the country on the road, so he'll be a lot more prepared rather than not doing it,” Napier said. “Look, Max is a worker. He'll start when he gets back Sunday. We've got a routine for the quarterback, it's worked in the past. We'll play to his strengths and, you know, there will be some confidence he can get from tonight after moving the team a little bit and making a handful of plays, and there'll be things that he learned from tonight that he can do better.”

He won’t be shouldering the burden of Mertz’s absence alone, though. His teammates are expected to rally around the redshirt freshman signal caller as he gears up for his first career start. 

“I can tell you this, I think the players will rally around the situation,” Napier continued. “You know, I thought you saw a little bit of that tonight if that makes sense. So, you know, Max has the respect of the team because he works his butt off and he's consistent. He's got character. So, what a tremendous opportunity for a young player."

Against the Seminoles, he’ll strive to operate one play at a time.